Ravencry

McDonald returns to the haunted world of Blackwing in this gripping fantastical drama. Four years after the climactic siege of Valengrad, Ryhalt Galharrow is the captain of a reinvigorated Blackwing company, bound to serve Crowfoot, one of the entities known as the Nameless. Though his existence is materially comfortable, he remains haunted by the events of the siege and by the memory of his beloved Ezabeth. Meanwhile, a monumental building called the Grandspire is being erected to channel the magic-based power source known as phos and a revolutionary cult of a mysterious figure known as the Bright Lady increases in power and influence. When a powerful relic is stolen from Crowfoot, Ryhalt learns that an old enemy has returned to Valengrad with a plan that imperils the entire world. McDonald continues to build on the strengths that made Blackwing compelling: tense and violent action, genuinely disturbing settings and creatures, and bursts of morbid humor. Readers who can handle the stomach-turning gore and high body count will appreciate that they’re tempered with Galharrow’s genuine—if reluctant—heroic nature and warm heart. (Aug.)